High-intensity focused ultrasound for crystallization

This PhD project is embedded in the Group of Process Intensification with Alternative Energy Forms at KU Leuven under the supervision of Prof. Tom Van Gerven. We also form part of the larger Process Engineering for Sustainable Systems (ProcESS) section at the Department of Chemical Engineering with expertise in process intensification, use of alternative energy sources and membrane technology.

Project

Mineral carbonation is the process where metal ions react with carbon dioxide to form metal carbonates. It is a relevant process for several application domains such as the production of inorganic fillers in paint and plastics, metallurgical extraction, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). The reaction is slow and often does not reach complete conversion due to an unfavourable position of the chemical equilibrium. In this project novel routes for this process are investigated, targeting either faster, selective and more complete synthe...